Economic indicators are the official numbers that show how the UK economy is doing. They cover things like growth, prices, jobs, wages and interest rates. More importantly, they shape your mortgage rate, your savings rate and how far your pay goes.
In this guide I’ll explain the main ones in plain English. I’ll also cover who publishes them, how often they come out and what the latest figures were as of late October 2026.
What are economic indicators?
An economic indicator is a statistic that tracks one part of the economy over time. Some look backwards, like GDP. Others try to give an early signal, like PMI surveys.
In the UK, most official figures come from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Bank of England sets Bank Rate, which is the other big number to watch.
The main UK economic indicators and who publishes them
Here’s a quick summary of the figures most people care about. These were the latest published numbers on 26 October 2026, and they will change with each new release.
| Indicator | Latest figure | Period covered | Published by | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP growth | 0.1% | August 2026 | ONS | Monthly |
| CPI inflation | 3.5% | 12 months to September 2026 | ONS | Monthly |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | June to August 2026 | ONS | Monthly |
| Regular pay growth | 3.7% | June to August 2026 | ONS | Monthly |
| Bank Rate | 3.75% | Set on 18 December 2025 | Bank of England | 8 decisions a year |
GDP: is the economy growing?
Gross domestic product, or GDP, measures the total value of goods and services the UK produces. When it rises, the economy is growing. When it falls for two quarters in a row, that’s usually called a recession.
The ONS reported that GDP grew by 0.1% in August 2026, after 0.4% growth in July. Over the three months to August, GDP grew by 0.7%.
How GDP affects your money
Stronger growth usually means more jobs and more confidence from employers. On the other hand, weak growth can mean slower pay rises and less job security.
CPI inflation: how fast are prices rising?
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) tracks how much a typical basket of goods and services costs compared with a year earlier. The ONS inflation bulletin showed CPI at 3.5% in the 12 months to September 2026, up from 3.1% in August.
The government sets the Bank of England a 2% target for CPI. So when inflation sits well above that, the Bank is less likely to cut interest rates.
How inflation affects your money
Inflation quietly eats into the value of your cash. If your savings earn less than inflation, they’re losing buying power, which I explain in my post on inflation vs savings.
Unemployment rate: how strong is the jobs market?
The unemployment rate shows the share of people who are looking for work but don’t have a job. The ONS put it at 4.7% for June to August 2026, down 0.1 percentage points on the year.
How unemployment affects your money
A rising rate can mean fewer vacancies and less bargaining power when you ask for a pay rise. That’s why I think it’s worth having an emergency fund before the jobs market turns.
Wage growth: is your pay keeping up?
Wage growth tracks how fast average pay is rising. Regular pay, which leaves out bonuses, grew by 3.7% a year in June to August 2026, according to the ONS.
After adjusting for CPI inflation, real regular pay grew by 0.8%. In other words, pay was only just staying ahead of prices.
How wage growth affects your money
If your own pay rise is lower than inflation, you’re effectively taking a pay cut. That gap is a big part of why Britain feels poorer than 10 years ago.
Bank Rate: the economic indicator behind your mortgage
Bank Rate is the interest rate the Bank of England pays on reserves held by banks. Its Monetary Policy Committee meets eight times a year to decide it. According to the Bank of England, it stood at 3.75%, the level set on 18 December 2025, with the next decision due on 5 November 2026.
How Bank Rate affects your money
Changes in Bank Rate feed through to tracker mortgages, savings accounts and new fixed deals. For more detail, see my guides on how interest rates work in the UK and rising mortgage rates.
PMIs: early warning economic indicators
Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys, or PMIs, ask businesses whether things like orders and output are rising or falling. In the UK, they’re compiled by S&P Global rather than the ONS, and an early flash reading comes out each month.
A reading above 50 suggests growth, while below 50 suggests contraction. Because PMIs arrive before official GDP data, markets watch them closely.
How to use economic indicators in your own money decisions
You don’t need to follow every release. Instead, I’d keep an eye on a few that matter most to your situation.
Step 1: Compare your savings rate with CPI
If your savings rate is below inflation, your cash is losing value. That’s a good prompt to shop around.
Step 2: Watch Bank Rate before remortgaging
Rate decisions can shift fixed mortgage pricing. So it pays to check the news around your renewal date.
Step 3: Check wage growth before pay talks
The latest ONS wage figures give you a useful benchmark. You can see whether your pay rise keeps up with the rest of the country.
If any of these terms are new to you, my UK money glossary explains them in plain English.
You might also find this useful: What Is Inflation?.
Economic indicators FAQs
Who publishes UK economic indicators?
The ONS publishes most of them, including GDP, inflation, unemployment and wages. The Bank of England sets Bank Rate.
When is UK inflation data released?
CPI comes out monthly. The October 2026 figures are due on 18 November 2026.
What is the most important economic indicator?
There isn’t one single answer. For everyday money, though, inflation and Bank Rate usually have the biggest direct effect.
Do economic indicators affect house prices?
Yes, indirectly. Interest rates, wage growth and jobs data all affect how much people can borrow and afford.
This post is for information only and isn’t financial advice. Figures were correct at the time of writing and will change, so please check the latest official releases before making financial decisions.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. I'm not a regulated financial adviser. Rules, rates and allowances can change, so check the latest details and speak to a qualified professional before making any decisions.
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